| Catching catfish by hand is a long | | | | by the often dangerous practice. |
| standing practice that dates back to | | | | Many people who practice handfishing, or |
| when the Native American population | | | | noodling, actually plant boxes in |
| caught them that way. It used to be a | | | | catfish rich areas, in which they hope |
| must, of course, before the types of | | | | to entice catfish to spawn. Others |
| fishing equipment we commonly think of | | | | simply rely on the natural spawning |
| came into existence. Even with | | | | grounds to attract these catfish. The |
| rudimentary fishing equipment, people | | | | catfish in turn spawn in these areas, |
| still used methods of catfish fishing by | | | | leaving mature males to guard their |
| hand. | | | | nest. The handfishermen then dive down |
| Today, you are likely to see even more | | | | to likely areas such as submerged hollow |
| people searching for this seemingly new | | | | logs, rocky outcroppings, or underwater |
| method of fishing for catfish. Anglers | | | | caves. They reach inside these areas, |
| are often challenged in a unique way by | | | | hoping to find catfish there, allow |
| this method of fishing. Most often, | | | | these fish to bite down on their arms, |
| people are looking for a new way to | | | | and physically pull them from their |
| simply get fish in hand. NO matter why | | | | nest. They then wrestle them to the |
| you want to go catfish fishing by hand, | | | | bank. |
| chances are you will enjoy the process. | | | | Those who oppose the practice site that |
| The popularity of the sport has grown, | | | | it is dangerous and causes many injuries |
| and has gotten a considerable amount of | | | | to those who partake in this sport. |
| publicity since it was legalized in | | | | Indeed, it does cause numerous injuries. |
| Missouri. Be aware, it is not as easy | | | | Perhaps the worst possibility is that |
| as it sounds. It is most definitely a | | | | you might find something other than |
| sport to try though, especially if your | | | | catfish in the area in which you search. |
| passion is catfish. | | | | Many handfishermen find the snakes, |
| There are currently eleven states that | | | | snapping turtles, or even alligators |
| have legalized catfishing by hand, or | | | | that also inhabit these areas rather |
| 'noodling' as it is commonly called. | | | | than the catfish they are seeking. In |
| Those eleven states include Missouri, | | | | fact, most people who have noodled for |
| Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, | | | | catfish bear the proof on their flesh. |
| Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, | | | | Scars and missing digits are not |
| Louisiana, and Kentucky. | | | | uncommon sights in noodlers. |
| The way in which catfishing by hand is | | | | Those who oppose the practice of hand |
| carried out is somewhat interesting, to | | | | fishing state that, since regulations |
| say the least. In hand fishing, the | | | | state that since only mature catfish may |
| fisherman actually goes out into the | | | | be caught when noodling, this type of |
| water, dives down, and reaches into | | | | fishing might deplete the catfish |
| likely areas to find his prey, and haul | | | | population. Most states do have |
| it, by hand, out of the water. The only | | | | regulations on the size of catfish which |
| special equipment needed for handfishing | | | | can be caught when noodling, but the |
| is gloves that help protect fishermen | | | | fact is that the spawning grounds of |
| from the rows of sharp teeth in a | | | | catfish are always heavily fished by |
| catfish's mouth. Advocates state that | | | | fishermen, and there is absolutely no |
| this is a traditional method of fishing | | | | evidence what so ever that the practice |
| for catfish dating back to our native | | | | of handfishing for catfish has depleted |
| American roots, while others are alarmed | | | | the catfish population. |